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The Australian Night Time Economy
Looking to the future
A project for the Council of Capital City Lord Mayors
December 2021
Ingenium Research
Document Information
Table of Contents
KEY FINDINGS...................................................................................................................................................... 3
INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................................................. 5
THE CONSUMER ................................................................................................................................................. 8
THE BUSINESS ..................................................................................................................................................... 9
THE CITY .............................................................................................................................................................. 11
Document Information
Project Reference Number P21-10-01
Title The Australian Night Time Economy: Looking to the future
Version number Final
Last update 21/12/21
Name of Authors Anna Edwards, Andrew License
Document Status Publicly available
Approval Status Final
This report contains findings of the first Australian Night Time Industries Survey. The survey ran between the
18th and 30th of November 2021 and was distributed to night time economy businesses across Australia through
city councils, industry bodies and key stakeholders. The survey received a total of 262 complete responses and
results were weighted to the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ Counts of Australian Businesses, including Entries
and Exits dataset based on state / territory and industry grouping, to ensure proportions reflect the distribution
of entity population groupings.
Please see the supplementary appendices report for a detailed breakdown of survey findings and references.
Enquiries about this document can be addressed to:
Andrew License / Anna Edwards / Terry Bevan
E: anna@ingeniumresearch.com.au
E: andrew@ingeniumresearch.com.au
Ingenium Research
21 December 2021
Ingenium Research Pty Ltd, Melbourne, Australia
ACN: 619676112, GST No: 90619676112
Page |2 Prepared by Ingenium Research - December 2021
Key Findings
Challenges and opportunities
Pandemic uncertainty
Businesses continue to experience the impacts of the pandemic, with the identification of the Omicron
variant and potential for future lockdowns creating uncertainty. The provision of clear and timely
information, along with certainty of support has been noted as important by businesses.
City footfall and consumer behaviour
Hybrid working is expected to create long lasting change within our cities, including reduced footfall and
public transport use and shifts in activity by day of the week and time of the day. This, alongside new
customer trends, is creating challenges for night time businesses. A range of strategies should be adopted
to orchestrate a return to the city, with nightlife businesses acting as key stakeholders in achieving this.
Key opportunities:
• Diversify the city’s offering and attract new audiences through experiences and events (p.11)
• Support live music and the arts, advocating for state/territory event insurance schemes (p.10)
• Investigate the potential for implementing city loyalty programs, with the possibility of
incorporating gamification techniques that encourage repeat visits to the city (p.11)
• Further promote COVID-safety measures on public transport to encourage increased use, and
consider flexible pricing and timetabling models (p.12)
• Invest in infrastructure to make cities, attractive, globally recognisable and safe at night (p.12).
Staffing and skills
Staff and skills shortages are currently the most common challenge faced by night time businesses. The
return of overseas students and travellers will somewhat help to alleviate this, but there is an opportunity
for government to support a review of casualisation, pay and working conditions. Investment in the
development of career pathways and training of the workforce could also strengthen the underlying
quality and diversity of night time services.
Key opportunities:
• Further investigate employment challenges within the sector and ways in which government can
support businesses to improve employee conditions (p.9).
Planning and regulation
Local, state/territory, and national governments acted quickly to implement new schemes and adapt
regulations during the pandemic. The retention of these interventions and flexibility of regulation offer
the opportunity to create a lasting legacy. Many businesses surveyed have called for further relaxation of
regulations to support entrepreneurial behaviour.
Key opportunities:
• Ensure planning policies take the development of the night time economies into consideration,
including noise management and balancing the needs of residents and businesses (p.12)
• Consider the long-term retention of, and support for, outdoor dining (p.12)
• Create avenues for businesses to collaborate with governments, to share ideas and identify
further challenges and opportunities (p.12).
Page |3 Prepared by Ingenium Research - December 2021
Key themes within this report
Consumer Business City
Consumer sentiment Employment challenges City utilisation
Spending, consumption, and travel set to 80%+ of businesses face staff shortages due Reduced office occupancy and hybrid
improve. Considerations around mental to lack of international students/travellers working has shifted activity to the suburbs.
health impacts and how to include those and people leaving the industry, partly Opportunities to promote the central social /
more vulnerable. resulting in reduced trading hours. entertainment / experience district.
Accelerated consumer trends Pandemic safety measures Transport and travel
Increased use of home entertainment, digital Keeping up with regulations and policing Use of public transport substantially down
services, and meal delivery services. Cities to vaccine certification can be challenging. compared to pre-pandemic and more people
adapt to deliver new experiences that bring Opportunities to improve ventilation. driving. More frequent/less crowded services
people back into city centres. Ongoing uncertainties. and revised pricing models may assist.
Business financial impacts City planning and regulation
Reduced activity coupled with increasing Innovative and timely adaptions during the
costs is a challenge. Event insurance is an pandemic were beneficial. There is potential
issue for some. Tourism, localism and a for further red tape reduction, creating a
return to normality are key opportunities. lasting legacy.
Page |4 Prepared by Ingenium Research - December 2021Introduction
The report Measuring the Australian Night Time Economy collaboration between industry and government to
2019-20 highlighted the devastating impact of the COVID- develop positive night time governance solutions.
19 pandemic on the Australian night time economy during
To inform this process, an industry survey was conducted
the first three months to June 2020. Since then, the night
from 18-30 November 2021, collecting the perspectives of
time economy (food, drink and entertainment) has
more than 250 night time businesses across Australia. This
experienced a rollercoaster of challenges, including snap
report collates these findings to identify key short, medium,
lockdowns and changing trading conditions.
and long term challenges that the consumer, the business,
High rates of vaccination across Australia has provided a and the city may face – and the potential solutions and
sense of optimism and a clear opportunity to move opportunities that may assist in putting the sector in the
forward. On 6 August 2021, all states and territories agreed best position possible as we look to the future.
to a National Plan to transition Australia’s COVID-19
Case study: Ireland’s experience
response. The National Plan states that once 80% of
Australians are double vaccinated there will be minimal By early September 2021, Ireland had successfully double
domestic restrictions in place. At the time of writing, vaccinated more than 90% of its adult population (18+) and
Australia has surpassed this milestone. All states and looked to have effectively made the transition from
territories expected to reach a vaccination rate of 90%+ pandemic to endemic.
(age 16+) by mid-February 2022.
Despite this success, in late October and early November
Over the past eighteen months, social and economic 2021 the country began to experience a dramatic increase
patterns have been in a state of constant flux, with rules and in cases and hospitalisations. By mid-November the
restrictions often changing within days or hours in response Government had reinstated several measures, including,
to the identification of new COVID cases. The uncertain
• Working from home where possible
environment led governments, businesses, and individuals
• Proof of immunity to attend cinemas or theatres
to react to changing pandemic contexts, instead of
• Reducing trading hours of pubs, restaurants,
proactively planning change.
nightclubs, and licenced venues to midnight.
The pandemic generated a greater awareness and • Limits on table sizes in restaurants / pubs.
acknowledgement of the importance of social contact and
Other recommendations included a review of building
the role that our night time industries play in this.
ventilation as the country moves towards winter and
There remains a level of uncertainty that cannot be ignored socialising moves indoors, a series of targeted
(e.g. When do we stop testing? How long will measures stay communications around the correct usage of masks and
in place?). Australia’s success in passing the milestones laid compliance and booster vaccinations for those aged 50+.
out in the National Plan, however, provide a level of As of 7 December, additional rules include the closure of
confidence that offers its capital cities the opportunity to nightclubs and table-service only in pubs and restaurants.
strategically plan for the future of the night time economy In response to this, the Government is providing targeted
using examples from other countries and cities to learn financial support for the hospitality sector.
valuable lessons from reopening.
Experiences such as this highlight that while Australia has
The strong and resilient recovery of Australia’s urban night made great strides in its vaccination efforts, there are likely
time economies is a key lever in attracting people back to to be further trials ahead with COVID-19 – particularly as
city centres. This will be dependent on partnership and we move into winter.
Page |5 Prepared by Ingenium Research - December 2021Introduction
The states and territories of Australia have all experienced the pandemic very differently, with some areas remaining relatively
untouched by the virus and others experiencing large outbreaks leading to substantial periods of lockdown and restrictions. A
high-level overview of these experiences is provided below through a lens of cases, deaths, vaccination rates and mobility.
Businesses surveyed in areas with high community transmission (>2,000 cases) were much more likely to have closed for more
than 50 days (71%) compared to areas with lower caseloads (28%). Perhaps associated with this, 84% of businesses in high case
load areas reported declines in business activity or sales turnover, compared to 51% in lower caseload areas. Based on this, it
is likely that each area will encounter different experiences and challenges as the virus moves from pandemic to endemic within
each jurisdiction
Case load: Low WA Case load: Low NT Case load: Low QLD Case load: High NSW
Community cases 115 Community cases 82 Community cases 590 Community cases 78,726
Deaths 9 Deaths 0 Deaths 7 Deaths 628
Fully vaccinated 16+ 77% Fully vaccinated 16+ 78% Fully vaccinated 16+ 78% Fully vaccinated 16+ 93%
Google mobility trends to retail & recreation sites: February 2020 – November 2021
Community transmission cases
since beginning of the pandemic
Cases, deaths, and vaccination rates as of 3rd December 2021
Case load: Low SA Case load: High VIC Case load: High ACT Case load: Low TAS
Community cases 261 Community cases 124,222 Community cases 2,048 Community cases 154
Deaths 4 Deaths 1,357 Deaths 14 Deaths 13
Fully vaccinated 16+ 82% Fully vaccinated 16+ 91% Fully vaccinated 16+ 99% Fully vaccinated 16+ 88%
Google mobility trends to retail & recreation sites: February 2020 – November 2021
Page |6 Prepared by Ingenium Research - December 2021Page |7 Prepared by Ingenium Research - December 2021
The Consumer
Depending on the state or territory, consumers of night time economy services have had vastly different experiences over the
past 18 to 24 months. In Western Australia or Northern Territory consumers may not have seen many differences, when
compared to patrons in New South Wales and Victoria, who have effectively been locked out of the night time sector for
months on end. The changes in consumer behaviour over this period are important to consider as Australia re-opens.
Consumer sentiment Accelerated consumer trends
Household consumption has been forecast to rebound The advent of the pandemic and stay at home orders has
during the December 2021 and March 2022 quarters, as led to the acceleration of many trends that were already in
vaccination targets in the National Plan are met and motion. For example, the increasing popularity of meal
pandemic restrictions ease. This latent demand is expected delivery services is a trend accelerated as a direct result of
to result in increased domestic spend, as Australians make the pandemic. For many businesses (37% of those
up for lost time and seek out experiences they have missed surveyed), the introduction of takeaway and/or delivery
over the past eighteen months. Economists have estimated services was their only option while pandemic restrictions
that by late 2021, Australians’ savings will be $230bn higher were in place. Whether this trend continues remains to be
than normal. In June 2021, 27% of Australians expected seen, with half of businesses stating that these new services
their spending would increase over the following twelve were here to stay, and the other half stating they intended
months, especially among those with lower household for them to be only temporary.
incomes. Almost one third (32%) planned to use savings to
Outside of delivery services, many businesses have pivoted
spend on travel over the next year and travel sentiment is
their operating models during COVID-19 to adapt and
improving – a key component of the night time industries.
survive. Of those that had introduced new products or
“There [are] a huge number of young people coming services, the most common were moving services online
of age who missed out on their night lives when they (e.g. live streamed events), the introduction of at-table
hit 18 years of age. There [are] a lot of customers there ordering (e.g. via QR code) and development of entirely
waiting to experience Australian nightlife” new product lines (e.g. packaged products).
(Pub, bar, tavern, November 2021).
Between 2019 and 2021, Australians substantially increased
It is recognised that COVID-19 can impact mental health spending on home entertainment equipment (+44%) and
and wellbeing. For those states particularly impacted by video-on-demand services (+56%) such as Netflix, Stan and
long lockdowns, there is likely to be an impact on the Amazon Prime. Investment in these services, combined
mental health of many consumers in the immediate to short with the potential hesitancy on returning to normal, could
term, with some feeling anxious about returning to present a challenge for the sector in encouraging
normality. This may also be a factor in states and territories individuals to reengage directly with the night time
that have been less affected by the pandemic, as these economy. This is explored later in The City section,
states and territories transition to living with increasing case however, positioning our Central Business Districts (CBDs)
numbers. In either case, it will be important to be mindful towards Central Entertainment or Experience Districts could
of those in society that are more vulnerable to the virus assist. CBDs could become a greater focus of new
such as the elderly, the unvaccinated, Indigenous experiences (e.g. board game cafes, permanent lighting
Australians, people with disability or illness as well as the displays, public art) or events that attract new audiences
homeless. There is the potential that those in these groups and move beyond the traditional nightlife focus, thereby
may move away from traditional night time experiences, expediting an existing trend to diversify the offer and move
instead opting for social get-togethers within closed circles. beyond the focus on alcohol-centric business models.
Page |8 Prepared by Ingenium Research - December 2021The Business
Businesses across Australia have been impacted by the pandemic, with the hospitality and night time industries (food, drink
and entertainment) being particularly hard hit. Governments quickly mobilised to support the sector, enabling initiatives such
as outdoor dining to allow businesses to continue to trade within restricted density limits. The pandemic will leave a lasting
impact on these businesses and the ways in which they trade going forward.
Employment challenges Pandemic safety measures
While the night time industries experienced a substantial The pandemic has brought many new rules and regulations
loss in jobs during the pandemic, the most commonly cited for businesses. The fast-changing pace of rules can be
challenge now faced is skills and staffing shortages, with challenging to keep up with, especially for businesses
81% of night time business surveyed experiencing this issue. operating in multiple jurisdictions. Just 29% of surveyed
For 38% of these businesses, this has led to reduced trading businesses found it easy to keep up to date with COVID-19
days or hours of operation, particularly from Monday to requirements, while 26% found it difficult. Those finding it
Thursday. Related to this, almost 40% of businesses stated challenging suggested a federal government website or
that their staffing costs had increased by more than 10%. resource covering all states and territories would be helpful.
While keeping up to date proved challenging, businesses
“Many hospitality operators are not opening at all
generally found it easier to implement the requirements.
early week or to capacity at weekends as they simply
do not have staff to operate. The situation has Australia’s National Plan ends with a final post-vaccination
morphed into a 'bidding' war with larger groups phase, with no recovery phase to address economic
poaching key staff. Whilst the opening of international impacts and to rebuild resilience. A related concern is
borders will resolve some of the issues, shortages, pandemic uncertainty, with less than half (47%) of surveyed
especially in trained chefs was evident prior to the businesses feeling optimistic about the future in light of
pandemic and is now at an all time critical point” current pandemic circumstances.
(Advocacy body, November 2021)
Netherlands: High vaccination, partial lockdown
The two primary reasons for current staffing shortages cited
On November 13th 2021 a partial lockdown was
by surveyed businesses were fewer overseas students /
reintroduced after hospitalisations increased to 200+ per
travellers and people leaving the industry - reasons for
day, despite a vaccination rate at 83% among people aged
which could include (among others) a desire for home
12+. The lockdown enforced hospitality establishments to
working or pandemic fears. The reopening of borders and
close between 8pm and 6am every night. On 26
the staged return of international students, should help to
November, further restrictions were introduced including
alleviate this issue in 2022. Staff shortages have also shone
almost all businesses closing between 5pm and 5am.
a spotlight on the employment conditions of hospitality
workers, with many experiencing low pay, wage theft, a lack Safe Work Australia provide pandemic related workplace
of career development opportunities and low job security guidance for specific industries, including hospitality and
through casualisation. live entertainment. Guidance is also provided on the use of
heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems during
Canada: hospitality staffing shortages
COVID-19. In March 2021, the World Health Organisation
Businesses in many countries are finding it difficult to fill published a roadmap to improve indoor ventilation in the
staff vacancies within hospitality. The food service sector in context of COVID-19. Despite this, only 9% of businesses
Canada is struggling to fill the 130,000 hospitality vacancies surveyed said they are planning further adaptions to their
needed to return to pre-pandemic levels of employment. venues, with some alluding to ventilation improvements.
Page |9 Prepared by Ingenium Research - December 2021The Business
On 1 November, the Therapeutic Goods Administration changing conditions. One feature that many businesses
approved rapid antigen testing for supply in Australia, (29% of those surveyed) have introduced is a no-show or
although only 8% of night time businesses surveyed plan late cancellation fee with 69% of these businesses indicating
to – or are currently using – the tests as part of their they intended to retain the policy going forward.
business model, with some citing the cost as prohibitive.
In addition to reduced activity, businesses are also incurring
UK: Free rapid antigen testing additional costs as a direct result of the pandemic. The cost
of cleaning and hygiene materials increased by more than
In March 2021 the UK Government began offering free
10% for nearly 57% of businesses surveyed. While 41% of
rapid antigen tests to all businesses. While these tests can
businesses noted that supplier costs had increased by more
no longer be ordered by businesses, they remain free of
than 10%, an encouraging 80% of businesses stated they
charge to members of the public.
had seen no increase in premises rental costs.
Australia has adopted a proof of COVID-19 vaccination
Nearly 43% of businesses surveyed had experienced
certification scheme, which has been used as a “vaccine
increases in insurance costs – particularly event insurance.
passport” to allow access to certain venues and services
Many businesses cite live music and performing arts as a
while waiting for vaccination rates to increase.
key opportunity for the sector, but pandemic uncertainty
Germany: Vaccinated economy system has resulted in insurance being more expensive or, in some
cases, unobtainable. The Live Performance Federal
On 2 December 2021 in response to the fourth wave, and
Insurance Guarantee Fund Bill, which aimed to provide a
with an aim of reducing the number of infections and
federal fund to support the sector, was recently tabled in
relieving the burden on the healthcare system, the German
parliament. Federal Government recommended that the
Government introduced a range of new rules based on
bill not be passed, indicating that the issue should be
vaccination status, including limiting access of unvaccinated
managed by states and territories and citing programs in
people to non-essential retail, cultural and leisure venues.
Western Australia and Tasmania. Additionally, the Victorian
Consumer safety remains high on the agenda, with many Government has announced the first Australian COVID-19
businesses highlighting its importance for both pandemic event insurance product. This is likely to be a continuing
safety measures and managing antisocial behaviour. Some issue for the industry in other states and territories.
businesses reported challenges with policing vaccination
The decreased activity combined with rising costs, are likely
status.
key drivers behind 37% of businesses surveyed increasing
Business financial impact prices since the onset of the pandemic. As restrictions lift in
jurisdictions with high caseloads, many businesses will be
Night time businesses were particularly impacted by the
looking to their local councils for support in how to entice
pandemic. Of the businesses surveyed as part of this
patrons back to the city, while in jurisdictions with fewer
research, 72% stated that their activity or sales turnover was
cases it will be more about applying learnings on safe
lower than an equivalent time pre-pandemic, with 37% of
trading as COVID-19 enters the community.
businesses indicating they were experiencing a decline in
activity of more than 50%. Almost half (47%) of businesses surveyed feel optimistic
about the future in the current pandemic circumstances,
Many businesses (75% of those surveyed) have introduced
with perceived opportunities including a return to normality
at least one new service or product to pivot due to
and tourism, the potential to broaden the diversity of the
customer base and an extension of opening hours.
Key financial survey findings (Proportion of businesses)
55% 72% 37% 73% 46% 37%
closed for over 50 with lower activity / experiencing 50%+ experiencing 10%+ incurring additional Increased prices
days sales turnover decline in activity/sales additional costs debt or loan (since the onset of the
pandemic)
(as a direct result of the (than a similar time pre- turnover (as a direct result of the repayments
pandemic) pandemic) (due to the pandemic) pandemic) (due to the pandemic)
P a g e | 10 Prepared by Ingenium Research - December 2021The City
Central Business Districts (CBDs) across Australia have experienced substantial changes following the onset of the pandemic.
With many people now working from home, office occupancy rates and public transport use across the states and territories
remain below pre-pandemic levels. While governments across Australia quickly mobilised to support their night time industries,
the nature of CBDs are evolving, and Australia’s cities are actively developing approaches to entice patrons back.
City utilisation
The estimated proportion of Australians working from the potential that is created through face-to-face
home increased from just 8% in 2019 to 40% in 2020, and collaboration and social interaction.
38% in 2021. It is anticipated that the amount of home,
Schemes such as MyDarwin discounts, NSW’s Dine &
flexible and hybrid working is likely to remain substantially
Discover, and Melbourne Money have helped alleviate this
higher than pre-pandemic levels. This will impact on
in the immediate term. A longer-term solution could build
economic activity within city centres, dispersing some
gamification into these concepts (e.g. maintain a streak of
activity to the suburbs and regional locations.
mid-week visits, visit all areas of the city within a month) as
It has been suggested that there could be a shift away from an innovative way to encourage city loyalty or repeat visits.
shopping and office use towards more cultural and civic
Scotland: Miconex loyalty and gift cards
uses. Others have called for a reimagining of cities from
Central Business Districts to Central Entertainment, Miconex has been operating city-wide gift card programs
Experience or Social Districts. in the UK since 2010. The company also runs place-based
loyalty programs that reward customers for spending
In October 2021, office occupancy rates in Australia’s capital
money at registered businesses. In July 2021 the Scottish
cities remained below pre-pandemic levels, ranging from
Government backed the rollout of Miconex’s “Scotland
92% in Hobart and Darwin to just 4% and 7% in Melbourne
Loves Local” gift card to all 32 local government areas to
and Canberra respectively. A November survey found that
support recovery by encouraging people to spend locally
occupancy rates were improving but 62% of office owners
believe that any major improvements in occupancy are There is also the potential that the times people commute
unlikely to occur in the next three months. Similarly, there to work could change beyond the 9am-5pm, with some
has been a rise in empty shopfronts, with retail vacancy starting work earlier or finishing later to avoid peak
rates in Australia’s capital cities during the first half of 2021 commuting periods. These trends could impact when
ranging from 8% in Sydney to 27% in Perth. It is possible consumers seek night time economy services.
that these trends could lead to a long-term fall in demand
London: Attracting people back to the city
for commercial property in CBDs.
In 2020, the Mayor of London published a report on
Cities are experiencing a shift in activity by day of week. For
COVID-19 and the recovery of life at night and in May 2021,
example, in January to November 2021, visits to workplaces
a domestic tourism campaign was announced. This
in Australia’s capital cities were down on average 20% on
included Let’s Do London; a scheme developed in
Mondays and 15% on Wednesdays.
partnership with hospitality, culture, and retail to entice
An interdependency exists between the number of office Londoners back to the city through special events. London
workers, retail, and the “sandwich” (lunchtime), “twilight” First (a group representing London’s leading employers) is
(after work) and night time economies. Therefore, it will be calling for an extension of funding for this scheme.
important to attract people back at all times of the day by
reminding them of all the things unique to city centres and
P a g e | 11 Prepared by Ingenium Research - December 2021The City
Transport and travel City planning and regulation
As of 1 December 2021, the number of people using public It will be vital that planning and zoning policy enables
transport in Australia is 9% lower than at pre-pandemic responsive change and flexible uses for the repurposing of
levels, while the number driving is 31% higher. This data commercial space. While the underlying future of urban
indicates that the reduced use of public transport is a retail is uncertain due to the rise in e-commerce, there will
greater issue for cities that have endured longer lockdowns likely be demand for collaborative and hybrid working
and case numbers (Melbourne (-14%) and Sydney (-15%)), spaces. Another existing issue that may be exacerbated by
when compared to cities with a lesser pandemic impact changes to city use is noise complaints, with many night
(Perth +2%, Brisbane -2%). time businesses surveyed citing this as a challenge.
Drivers of changes in behaviours are likely to include Outdoor dining and events and the establishment of
pandemic fears, irregular commuting patterns (making parklets helped many night time economy businesses to
annual travel passes less economically viable) and, in some survive during the pandemic. After grant funding, outdoor
locations reduced services/timetabling. This is an important dining was the most commonly cited government initiative
issue in the context of climate change. It is also an that hospitality businesses hope will be retained. Of the
important consideration for Australian cities working 38% of food and drink venues surveyed that introduced
towards the 30-minute city concept. outdoor dining, the majority (56%) plan for it to stay.
The Productivity Commission are currently researching Access to blue, green and recreational spaces that are well
public transport pricing, which will consider the impact of maintained with appropriate facilities (and lighting, where
the pandemic, while Infrastructure Victoria has published appropriate) can enhance people’s quality of life and will
research about the post-pandemic commute. Research remain an important asset as we emerge from the
conducted by mobility service Moovit found that respect pandemic. Investing in infrastructure to make cities safe,
for social distancing, provision of hand sanitizer and attractive, and globally recognisable at night (for example,
increased frequency/less crowded vehicles were the via permanent creative lighting displays) will be important
highest rated factors to encourage public transport use for long term success. This is particularly relevant in the
during the pandemic. Meanwhile, the Property Council has growing ‘experience’ economy and the demand for
proposed three months of free public transport, off peak photogenic and ‘Instagrammable’ scenery.
fares and the inclusion of public transport in pre-purchased
Many night time businesses cite regulation as a challenge,
event tickets to revitalise Melbourne’s CBD. Flexible office
however, increased flexibility by local, state and national
work times may also support the alleviation of this issue.
government enabled necessary quick adaptations and trials
Europe: A new era for public transport at the height of the pandemic. An opportunity exists for
these to become permanent, leaving a lasting legacy, for
In September 2021, one of Europe’s leading public
example, the NSW Government has consulted on
transport companies, Arriva, released a report on the future
proposals to retain temporary measures and improve
of public transport, in recognition that the substantial
planning in relation to outdoor dining, artisan food and
changes to usage experienced during COVID, were likely to
drink premises, events, and small live music or arts venues.
remain. Innovative solutions included real-time crowding
information, flexible ticketing, multi-modal transport offers Localism and support for small businesses rallied during the
and revisions to routes to reflect updated passenger pandemic. Many businesses citied this as an opportunity,
demand – in addition to more technological solutions such alongside the potential for increased collaboration among
as demand responsive travel. communities of “likeminded businesses” and governments,
such as in Sydney, Melbourne and New South Wales.
“By continuing to address and remove the barriers to entrepreneurism I believe Australia could be positioned as having the best
nightlife in the world. We have all the talent in this country, with support local and state government can have many engines
driving the economy through a diverse and rich night-time industries” (Events business, November 2021)
P a g e | 12 Prepared by Ingenium Research - December 2021The City P a g e | 13 Prepared by Ingenium Research - December 2021
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